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A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


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A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR 

BY 

GEORGE  F.  GODFREY, 
mitl^  31llujStrat(oni2{  from  bp  tl)e  ^uti^or* 


BOSTON: 

JAMES  R.  OSGOOD  AND  COMPANY. 

1882. 


Copyright,  1882,  i;v  George  F.  Godfrey. 


jTranklfn  ^rrss: 

PAND,  AVERY,  AND  COMPANY, 


BOSTON. 


town  has  a character  as  much  as  an  individual,  and  becomes  known  by  it,  at  home 
and  abroad.  I never  knew  a decent  person  who  did  not  enjoy  the  atmosphere,  so  to  speak, 
made  of  the  social,  moral,  and  business  qitalitics  of  this  city." 

Hon.  John  A.  Peters,  at  the  Bangor  Centennial  Dinner. 


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LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Bird’s-eye  View,  looking  West  from  Cen- 
tral Congregational  Church  Steeple. 
Bird’s-eye  View,  looking  South  from  Cen- 
tral Congregational  Church  Steeple. 
View  of  East  Side  from  Thomas  Hill. 

View  of  East  Side  from  Court  Street. 
East-Market  Square. 


Broadway. 

Main  Street. 

High  Street. 

State  Street. 

European  and  North- American  R.R.  Wharf. 
Lumber  Docks. 

Penobscot  River  from  Brewer  Bridge. 


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I. 


SETTLEMENT  AND  GROWTH. 


hSLIOTyPE  PRINTING  CO.  BOSTON. 


BIRD’S  EYE  VIEW  LOOKING  WEST  FROM  CENTRAL  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH  STEEPLE. 


SETTLEMENT  AND  GROWTH. 


JACOB  BUSWELL  came  to  Bangor 
in  1769,  and  settled  on  the  banks 
of  the  Penobscot  River,  near  the  foot  of 
what  is  now  Newbury  Street.  Others 
from  Massachusetts  and  elsewhere  soon 
followed  him. 

The  settlement  was  originally  called 
and  written  Condes/eeag.  Later,  when  it 
became  large  enough  to  be  incorporated. 


its  name  was  Sunbury ; but  in  1791  an 
act  of  incorporation  was  obtained,  and 
the  town  was  named  Bangor,  from  an 
old  psalm-tune  popular  at  that  time. 

For  thirty  years  succeeding  the  advent 
of  the  first  pioneer,  few  people  came  to 
this  locality,  — there  being  but  277  in- 
habitants in  1800;  in  1830  there  were 
but  2,868. 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


In  1834  Bangor  was  incorporated  a 
city.  At  present  (1882)  its  population  is 
about  20,000 ; but  being  the  shire-town 
of  Penobscot  County,  centrally  located  at 
the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Penobscot 
River,  and  the  headquarters  of  a large 
lumber  business,  it  gives  the  impression 
of  being  much  more  populous.  Sur- 
rounded as  it  is  by  numerous  small 
towns  and  a large  agricultural  district,  it 
is  a trade-centre  of  no  little  importance. 

The  towns  most  closely  associated 
with  Bangor  by  location,  social  relations, 
and  business  interests,  aggregate  a popu- 


lation of  more  than  twenty  thousand 
(making  about  forty  thousand  people 
within  a radius  of  a few  miles) ; and 
they  may  be  considered  a part  of  the 
city  in  so  far  as  they  go  to  give  it 
business  activity  and  a cosmopolitan 
appearance.  Among  these,  Hampden, 
Hermon,  Levant,  Orrington,  Brewer,  Old- 
town,  and  Orono  are  the  most  impor- 
tant : the  latter,  the  seat  of  the  State 
College,  is  a pretty  town  containing 
many  fine  residences. 

There  are  four  railroads  terminating 
in  Bangor,  — the  Maine  Central,  Euro- 


12 


SETTLEMENT  AND  GROWTH. 


pean  and  North  American,  Bangor  and 
Piscataquis,  and  the  Eastern  Maine. 
The  number  of  trains  arriving  and  de- 
parting daily,  on  all  these  roads  com- 
bined, is  thirty-four. 

Four  telegraph  companies  centre  here, 
— the  Western  Union,  Mutual  Union, 
Moosehead  Lake,  and  the  Castine. 
There  is  a Telephone  Exchange,  exten- 
sively patronized  in  the  city,  with  wires 
connecting  with  several  of  the  neigh- 
boring towns. 

There  are  ten  lines  of  stages  carry- 
ing passengers  and  mails  to  the  vari- 


ous parts  of  the  country,  including  the 
“ Tally-ho  ” line,  which  makes  two  trips 
daily  to  Mount  Desert. 

During  the  summer  there  is  a daily 
line  of  magnificent  steamboats  between 
Bangor  and  Boston,  which  touch  at  all 
the  principal  ports  on  the  Penobscot 
River.  There  is  also  a fine  steam-line 
to  Bar  Harbor,  Mount  Desert,  as  well 
as  a fleet  of  stanch  steamers  for  tow- 
ing and  excursions  on  the  river,  besides 
a grand  pleasure-barge  of  ample  propor- 
tions : so  that  the  Penobscot  presents, 
aside  from  its  natural  beauty,  a scene 


13 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


of  much  activity.  Rowing-parties  glide 
smoothly  along,  and  sail-boats  and  small 
steamers  with  pleasure-parties  enliven 
the  scene  with  music  and  laughter.  Ves- 
sels, large  and  small,  are  constantly 
arriving  from  other  ports,  or  are  putting 
to  sea,  laden  with  the  products  of  the 
Maine  forests  and  farms. 

During  the  hot  season  the  various 
resorts  on  the  river  are  much  frequented 


by  residents  of  Bangor,  many  of  whom 
have  neat  cottages  at  Fort  Point,  Cas- 
tine,  Northport,  Islesboro’,  and  Camden. 

As  a port  of  entry,  Bangor  is  of 
much  importance.  In  1880,  according 
to  the  last  published  report  of  the 
harbor-master,  the  number  of  vessels 
of  all  kinds  (not  including  small  fishing- 
craft)  which  arrived,  was  2,068,  aggre- 
gating 393795  tons. 


BIRD'S  EYE  VIEW  LOOKING  SOUTH  FROM  CENTRAL  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH  STEEPLE 


INDUSTRIES  AND  SOCIETIES. 


/ 


II. 

INDUSTRIES  AND  SOCIETIES. 


/^NE  of  the  former  industries  of 
magnitude  in  this  locality  was  ship- 
building ; but,  since  the  decline  in 
American  shipping,  it  has  somewhat 
fallen  off.  A large  amount  of  tonnage 
is  still  owned  here,  however ; and  ves- 
sels are  constantly  being  built  and  re- 
paired. 

Brick-making  is  an  industry  of  great 


importance,  many  millions  being  annu- 
ally made  and  exported. 

The  harvesting  of  ice  has  become  an 
important  industry,  employing  many  men 
during  the  winter  months,  and  furnish- 
ing freight  to  hundreds  of  vessels  during 
the  summer,  besides  giving  a fair  profit 
to  those  engaged  in  the  business. 

There  are  founderies,  machine-shops, 


17 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


flouring-mills,  planing-mills,  large  coop- 
erage establishments,  a pottery,  manu- 
factories of  furniture,  doors,  sashes,  and 
blinds,  carriages,  boots,  shoes,  and  moc- 
casins, etc. 

The  greatest  industry,  however,  is  that 
of  lumber.  Few  people  not  engaged  in 
this  business  are  aware  of  its  magni- 
tude in  all  its  branches.  The  Penobscot 
River  and  its  tributaries  drain  a vast 
area  of  territory ; and  every  brook  that 
runs  into  them,  which  is  large  enough 
to  float  a few  logs,  is  made  a means  for 
conveying  the  forest  products  to  market. 


From  the  time  the  lumberman  goes  into 
the  woods  in  the  fall,  until  his  logs 
are  cut,  hauled  to  the  shore  of  the 
stream,  measured,  counted,  and  marked, 
driven,  in  the  spring,  to  the  main  boom 
some  twenty  miles  above  Bangor,  sorted, 
rafted,  sold  to  the  manufacturer,  con- 
veyed to  the  various  mills  on  the  Penob- 
scot, sawed  into  all  kinds  of  long  and 
short  lumber,  and  then  shipped  abroad, 
so  many  trades  and  professions  are  em- 
ployed that  a detailed  account  of  them 
would  require  too  much  space  for  this 
sketch. 


VIEW  OF  EAST  SIDE  FROM  THOMAS'  HILL. 


INDUSTRIES  AND  SOCIETIES. 


In  the  year  1872  the  value  of  manu- 
factured lumber  sold  was,  in  round 
numbers,  $4,000,000  : the  amount  of 
long  lumber  surveyed  was  more  than 
246,000,000  feet.  The  amount  of  laths, 
shingles,  clapboards,  pickets,  and  staves 
aggregated  more  than  275,000,000. 

Railway- ties,  ship -knees,  telegraph- 
poles,  cedar  posts,  spool-stuff,  shoe-lasts, 
hemlock-bark,  and  many  other  products 
of  which  no  record  is  kept,  are  annually 
shipped,  by  rail  or  sea,  in  great  quan- 
tities. 

The  total  amount  of  long  lumber  sur- 


veyed at  this  port,  from  1832  to  1881 
inclusive,  is  7,475,586,780  feet.  Of  this, 
about  5,500,000,000  feet  have  been  sur- 
veyed since  1851,  showing  that  the  sup- 
ply increases  with  the  demand.  In  fact, 
most  of  the  forest  products  which  natu- 
rally find  a market  at  this  port  will  last 
for  centuries. 

There  are  five  national  banks  in  the 
city,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  a mil- 
lion dollars,  and  two  savings  banks  with 
large  deposits  ; several  strong  and  pros- 
perous insurance  ^companies,  both  for 
marine  and  fire ; two  daily  and  three 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


weekly  newspapers,  and  two  monthly 
periodicals,  besides  two  new  weekly  pa- 
pers, published  for  the  advancement  of 
a political  party, 

A public  library,  with  17,400  volumes  ; 
the  Bangor  Mechanic  Association,  Board 
of  Trade,  Horticultural  Society,  Art 
Association,  and  various  literary  and 
social  clubs. 

A Children’s  Home,  and  a Home  for 
Aged  Women  : both  institutions  have 
handsome  buildings,  finely  located  and 
well  managed. 

The  Bangor  Fuel  Society,  Humane 


Society,  Hibernian  Mutual  Benevolent 
Society,  and  other  charitable  associa- 
tions. 

Reform  Club,  Women’s  Christian  Tem- 
perance Crusade,  Young  Men’s  Chris- 
tian Association,  Bangor  Young  Men’s 
Bible  Society,  Convent  of  Mercy,  and 
St.  Xavier’s  Academy  for  Young  Ladies, 
and  numerous  smaller  societies  and  in- 
stitutions for  the  promotion  of  good 
morals  and  education. 

There  are  a company  of  infantry,  two 
military  bands,  and  a fine  orchestra.  A 
beautiful  Masonic  building,  with  two 


20 


INDUSTRIES  AND  SOCIETIES. 


lodges,  one  Commandery,  one  Council 
Royal  and  Select  Masons,  Royal  Arch 
Chapter,  and  De  Bouillon  Conclave  No. 
2 Knights  of  the  Red  Cross  of  Con- 


stantine ; four  lodges  of  Odd  Fellows, 
one  lodge  Knights  of  Pythias,  Royal 
Arcanum,  Knights  of  Honor,  and  one 
Grand  Army  post. 


s^tpr"’ 


HELIOTVPE  PRINTING  CO. 


BOSTON. 


VIEW  OF  EAST  SIDE  FROM  COURT  STREET. 


III. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS,  ETC. 


-w. 


'' :/  -,-  *??  V 


w /■  r*- 


III. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS, 


I 'HERE  is  a new  opera-house;  and 
^ there  are  numerous  tasteful  and 
well-arranged  public  halls,  the  largest  of 
which,  “ Norombega,”  built  in  1855,  has 
been  the  scene  of  many  stirring  events. 
Its  walls  have  echoed  with  ringing  words 
for  the  right,  for  justice,  and  for  the 
freedom  of  the  slave. 

Here,  in  time  of  war,  the  pulse  of 


the  populace  was  quickened  and  its 
patriotism  awakened  by  the  eloquent 
appeals  and  noble  thoughts  of  the  great- 
est orators  of  the  land,  many  of  whose 
voices  will  be  heard  no  more. 

In  peaceful  times  the  classical  oratory 
of  Edward  Everett ; the  silvery  tones  of 
Wendell  Phillips’s  voice ; the  scholarly 
essays  of  Theodore  Parker;  the  philoso- 
5 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


phy  of  R.  W.  Emerson;  the  learned  dis- 
courses of  Drs.  Bellows  and  Chapin,  and 
of  Proctor  the  astronomer;  the  earnest 
speeches  of  William  Lloyd  Garrison, 
Frederick  Douglas,  Beecher,  Gough,  and 
scores  of  others,  — have  enlightened  the 
people. 

Here  Grant  has  spoken  his  mono- 
syllabic piece,  Lord  Lisgar  charmed 
his  audience.  Gov.  Wilmot  of  New 
Brunswick  brought  forth  tears  and 
cheers  with  his  emotional  rhetoric,  and 
the  noted  English  Bradlaugh  has  pro- 
nounced his  communistic  harangue.  On 


its  platform  the  masters  in  political  argu- 
ment have  taken  their  stand.  Garfield, 
Winter  Davis,  Thomas  H.  Benton,  Henry 
Wilson,  Horace  Greeley,  Zachariah  Chan- 
dler, David  Dudley  Field,  B.  F.  But- 
ler, Senators  Sherman,  Logan,  Morton, 
Blaine  of  Maine,  and  hosts  of  other 
great  expounders  of  political  doctrines, 
not  forgetting  Bangor’s  honored  citizen, 
Hannibal  Hamlin. 

Before  the  foot-lights  on  its  stage,  the 
most  noted  interpreters  of  the  drama 
have  worn  the  buskin  ; and  the  greatest 
musical  stars  with  melodious  strains 


EAST  MARKET  SQUARE. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 


and  “sweet  lyric  song”  have  charmed 
their  hearers. 

The  county  buildings  (court-house 
and  jail,  costing  $160,000)  are  sur- 
rounded by  large,  well-kept  lawns,  shaded 
by  fine  old  elms.  They  are  built  of 
granite  and  brick,  are  commodious  build- 
ings, centrally  located,  tastefully  de- 
signed, and  supplied  with  all  the  modern 
conveniences. 

The  State  arsenal  and  grounds  (cost- 
ing  $75,000)  occupy  a commanding  posi- 
tion in  the  environs. 

The  United-States  Custom-House  and 


Post-Office  is  a granite  structure,  con- 
venient in  arrangement,  of  good  propor- 
tions and  handsome  design.  Its  cost  is 
estimated  at  $250,000. 

The  system  of  water-supply  in  Bangor 
is  certainly  as  perfect  as  can  be  desired. 
Every  householder,  for  the  petty  sum 
of  five  dollars  a year,  can  have  an  abun- 
■ dance  of  pure  Penobscot-river  water.  At 
nearly  every  street-corner  is  a hydrant 
for  use  in  case  of  fire.  The  city  owns 
several  steam  fire-engines ; but  they  are 
used  only  in  great  emergencies,  or  in  the 
suburbs  beyond  the  reach  of  the  water- 


27 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


mains.  Hose-companies  are  located  in 
different  parts  of  the  city,  manned  by 
efficient  corps  of  firemen.  They  prompt- 
ly respond  to  every  alarm  of  fire,  and,  on 
reaching  the  hydrant  nearest  their  des- 
tination, attach  the  hose  thereto,  through 
which  a powerful  stream  immediately 
rushes,  forced  by  the  great  stationary 
engines  located  at  the  water-works,  which 
night  and  day  throughout  the  year  are 
constantly  in  motion,  pumping  and  driv- 
ing over  a million  gallons  of  water  daily 
through  more  than  twenty-two  miles  of 
mains.  Public  drinking- fountains  for 


man  and  beast  are  centrally  and  con- 
veniently located  in  various  parts  of  the 
city. 

In  the  centre  of  Kenduskeag  Bridge 
is  a hydrant,  usually  concealed  from 
sight,  to  which  on  gala  days  is  attached 
an  iron  nozzle  three  inches  in  diameter, 
from  which  belches  a great  stream  of 
water  to  a perpendicular  height  of  more 
than  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  making 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  hydraulic 
displays. 

As  a consequence  of  this  excellent 
system  of  water-supply,  there  are  very 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 


few  fires  in  the  city;  and  it  is  hardly 
possible  for  a great  conflagration  to  take 
place.  Since  its  introduction  in  1875 
no  fire  has  gone  beyond  the  building  in 
which  it  originated,  and  the  average 
annual  loss  has  been  less  than  fifteen 
thousand  dollars. 

Insurance  rates  are  naturally  very  low; 
and  this  compensates  in  a great  degree 
for  the  taxes,  which,  chiefly  on  account 
of  the  temporary  embarrassment  of  a 
railroad  enterprise  in  which  the  city 
engaged,  are  at  present  higher  than  is 
desirable.  A few  political  aspirants,  and 


rich  men  of  an  economical  turn  of  mind, 
have  taken  advantage  of  this  state  of 
affairs ; and  their  dispiriting  complaints 
have  had  the  bad  effect  of  cutting  off 
expenditures,  in  some  cases,  in  the  wrong 
direction.  The  educational  fund  has 
been  reduced,  and  the  schools  have  suf- 
fered in  consequence.  Happily  they  are 
now  growing  in  prosperity. 

It  is  to  be  hoped,  that,  when  all  those 
who  have  objected  to  improvement  in 
public  education  go  to  a better  land,  they 
will  there  be  severely  reprimanded  by 
Abigail  Ford,  who,  in  1773,  taught  the 


29 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


first  school  in  Bangor.  Peace  to  her 
ashes. 

The  city  has  now  sixty-five  schools, 
employing  ninety-eight  teachers. 

It  is  a matter  of  pride  that  the  city’s 
credit  is  of  the  highest  standard,  its 
longest  six-per-cent  bonds  selling  at 
twenty-four  per  cent  premium. 

Bangor  is  and  always  has  been  patri- 
otic. It  was  from  here  that  the  first 
response,  in  this  State,  to  Abraham  Lin- 
coln’s call  for  troops  in  i86i  was  given. 
The  first  enlistment  for  the  war  of  the 


Rebellion  was  also  in  this  city,  and  the 
first  man  to  enlist  was  Captain  Levi 
Emerson. 

Here  it  was,  that  on  one  occasion  dur- 
ing the  war  the  mercurial  temperament 
of  the  people  was  raised  to  such  a 
height  as  to  be  irrepressible ; and  at 
high  noon  the  types,  press,  and  entire 
paraphernalia  of  a disloyal  newspaper 
were  thrown  from  its  windows  and 
burned  in  the  public  square,  to  the 
sound  of  ringing  church-bells  and  the 
shouts  of  the  populace. 


30 


■TTfr  PHI., 


co. 


BROADWAY. 


IV. 


WEALTH  AND  PROSPECTS. 


>7  “’ 

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■-^'  ^.■ 

X- 


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V 


\ 


I 


IV. 

WEALTH  AND  PROSPECTS. 


TOURING  the  last  decade,  according 
to  the  census  of  1880,  there  was  a 
slight  decrease  in  the  population  of  Ban- 
gor, which  to  its  citizens  seems  unac- 
countable, as  there  has  been  much  new 
building,  and  there  are  comparatively 
few  houses  to  let.  The  city  will  grow 
slowly  but  surely.  Its  location  is  such 
that  it  will  always  be  a centre  of  trade 


and  travel,  and  the  surplus  wealth  of  its 
citizens  will  necessarily  be  employed  in 
enterprises  that  will  accrue  to  its  advan- 
tage. 

The  water-power  in  its  immediate 
vicinity  is  unsurpassed  in  the  world ; 
and,  as  a prominent  woollen-manufac- 
turer expressed  it,  “ The  capitalists  of 
Bangor  have  only  to  get  a little  educa- 


33 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


tion  in  the  manufacturing  of  cotton  and 
woollen  to  set  the  spindles  and  looms 
in  motion.” 

The  manufacture  of  lumber,  the  pur- 
chase of  timber-lands,  and  the  building 
of  ships,  have  been  the  chief  methods  of 
investment.  Surplus  funds  to  a great 
extent  have  been  sunk  in  Western  mines 
and  other  speculative  follies,  or  buried 
in  bonds  where  none  but  the  owner,  not 
even  the  tax-collector,  derives  any  benefit 
therefrom. 

The  amount  of  forest-land  owned  and 
controlled  by  citizens  of  Bangor  is  amaz- 


ing to  those  unfamiliar  with  the  sub- 
ject. Imagine  1,200,000  acres,  nearly 
2,000  square  miles,  or  a territory,  which, 
if  joined  in  one  compact  mass,  would 
be  nearly  double  the  size  of  the  State 
of  Rhode  Island,  under  the  control  of 
one  man,  and  some  idea  can  be  had 
of  the  vast  extent  of  these  possessions. 
This  is  an  exceptionally  large  property ; 
but  there  are  many  individuals  and  es- 
tates who  count  their  acres  by  from  one 
hundred  thousand  to  more  than  three 
hundred  thousand,  or  from  one  hundred 
to  nearly  five  hundred  square  miles  each. 


34 


MELlOTTfE  fRIHtINO  CO. 


BOSTON. 


MAIN  STREET 


WEALTH  AND  PROSPECTS. 


and  a greater  number  the  area  of  whose 
domains  are  reckoned  only  by  scores  of 
thousands  of  acres. 

There  are  about  8,500,000  acres  of 
wild  land  in  the  State,  of  which  nearly 
one-half  is  owned  or  controlled  here. 
In  other  words,  not  far  from  six  thou- 
sand square  miles  (one-fifth  of  the  total 
area  of  the  State,  or  a territory  as  large 
as  the  States  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode 
Island  combined)  has  its  proprietorship 
here. 

The  timber  on  these  lands  is  con- 
stantly being  cut ; but  it  grows  fast, 


and,  but  for  fire,  would  be  practically 
inexhaustible.  What  the  proprietors 
need,  is  an  association  employing  ward- 
ens authorized  by  the  State  to  arrest  all 
ignorant  and  careless  sportsmen  who 
leave  their  camp-fires  burning.  Making 
a few  guilty  men  suffer  for  their  indif- 
ference would  create  a wholesome  regard 
for  the  rights  of  property  among  all 
those  who  take  the  privilege  of  enjoying 
the  woods  of  Maine. 

The  railroads  which  centre  in  Bangor 
have  opened  a large  and  yet  undevel- 
oped territory,  covered  with  good  farm- 


35 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


ing-lands,  and  abounding  in  products 
which  are  ever  increasing  in  demand. 

The  quarrying  of  slate,  near  the  route 
of  the  Bangor  and  Piscataquis  Railroad, 
is  already  assuming  large  proportions. 
Its  quality  is  superior,  and  said  to  be 
surpassed  by  none  in  the  world.  The 
iron  mines  of  Piscataquis  County  are 
owned  in  this  city.  They  grow  in  im- 
portance each  year.  A railroad,  built  by 
Bangor  enterprise,  connecting  them  at 
Milo  with  the  Bangor  and  Piscataquis 
Railroad,  is  now  nearly  completed. 

The  natural  beauty  of  the  scenery  of 


Maine,  its  salubrious  climate  in  summer, 
its  freedom  from  violent  storms  and 
tornadoes,  its  numerous  rivers  and  lakes 
and  picturesque  hills  and  mountains, 
the  absence  of  malarial  diseases,  of  hay- 
fever,  and  pestilential  plagues  of  all 
kinds,  annually  attract  crowds  of  pleas- 
ure-tourists and  seekers  of  health. 

To  provide  for  the  comfort  of  these, 
Bangor  capital  is  already  to  a certain 
extent  employed  in  furnishing  facilities 
for  travel,  and  in  supplying  the  adja- 
cent resorts  with  the  necessaries  and 
luxuries  of  life.  But  there  is  still  a 


WEALTH  AND  PROSPECTS. 


future  for  Bangor  enterprise  in  this 
direction : new  hotels  must  and  will  be 
built  in  the  lake  and  mountain  regions, 


and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  foreign  capi- 
tal will  not  reap  all  the  advantages 
therefrom. 


37 


HIGH  STREET, 


SOCIAL  FEATURES. 


V. 

SOCIAL  FEATURES. 


T)  ANGOR  is  delightfully  situated. 

It  is  intersected  by  the  Kendus- 
keag  stream,  on  either  side  of  which  are 
sunny  hills  covered  with  lovely  homes. 

The  business  portion  of  the  town  is 
located  on  the  low  land  bordering  the 
stream  and  fronting  the  broad  Penob- 
scot River. 

The  streets  throughout  the  city  are 


lined  with  magnificent  shade-trees,  the 
elm  predominating.  Elegant  residences 
abound,  and  well-kept  lawns  and  beauti- 
ful gardens  are  the  rule  rather  than  the 
exception. 

The  inhabitants  seem  to  vie  with  each 
other  in  their  love  of  flowers  and  desire 
for  neatness  round  about  their  homes. 
Nearly  every  house  has  its  little  garden 


41 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


\ 


or  plot  of  greensward,  and  in  many  of 
them  may  be  seen  ornamental  fountains 
scattering  in  graceful  spray  the  cool 
waters  of  the  Penobscot. 

It  has  been  called  the  “ Queen  City  of 
the  East,”  and  justly.  Its  location  is 
commanding ; and,  where  Nature  has 
failed  to  give  it  sufficient  beauty,  the 
taste  and  ambition  of  its  inhabitants 
have  given  generous  aid.  Its  outward 
appearance  in  summer  is  certainly  un- 
surpassed by  any  small  city.  Add  to 
its  picturesqueness  and  neatness  the  im- 
portant fact  that  few  places  can  com- 


pare with  it  in  point  of  the  general 
health  of  the  inhabitants,  and  you  have 
the  most  important  features  necessary 
for  a residence. 

Socially,  Bangor  is  a leading  centre. 
There  is  much  individual  wealth  among 
its  inhabitants,  as  well  as  a great  deal 
of  refinement  and  culture.  There  are 
few  communities  where  so  large  a pro- 
portion of  its  sons  and  daughters  have 
been  extensive  travellers.  Hospitality 
is  the  rule  among  all  classes.  In  winter 
the  city  is  gay.  The  frosty  air  is  in- 
vigorating, the  trees  are  bare  of  leaves. 


42 


STATE  STT-iEET 


SOCIAL  FEATURES. 


and  all  the  landscape  is  covered  with 
a sheet  of  dazzling  white.  Men  and 
women  and  children  go  out  in  all  weath- 
er, without  regard  to  frost  or  snow. 
The  streets  are  merry  with  tinkling 
bells ; and,  on  pleasant  days,  young  men 
accompanied  by  their  sweethearts,  papas 
with  their  families,  and  jockeys  with 
their  trotters,  hold  high  carnival,  speed- 
ing their  nags  with  jingling  bells  on 
the  road  to  Hampden. 

Sleighing-parties  to  suburban  towns 
for  a supper,  a dance,  and  a ride  home 
by  moonlight ; coasting  down  the  long. 


icy  hills ; and  skating  at  the  rink  with 
music  by  the  band,  — are  amusements 
much  in  vogue. 

Small  social  gatherings  and  large  pri- 
vate parties  are  numerous.  In  a notice 
alluding  to  one  of  the  latter,  the  editor 
of  a foreign  journal  who  was  present 
makes  complimentary  reference,  of  which 
the  following  is  a brief  extract : — 

“ The  music  was  particularly  excellent. 
. . . The  picture  would  reveal  indica- 
tions of  opulence,  culture,  taste,  and 
beauty,  which  few  cities  of  equal  size 
could  reveal : many  twice  the  size  could 


43 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR, 


not  do  so.  . . . The  hospitalities  were  of 
an  elegant  character,  and  on  a sumptu- 
ous scale.” 

Associations  devoted  to  art  and  litera- 
ture prevail.  Reading-clubs  are  popular, 
and  dancing  is  a favorite  amusement 
with  young  and  old. 

The  Opera  House,  unsurpassed  for 
its  beauty  and  convenience  by  any  out- 
side the  largest  cities,  is  one  of  the 
centres  of  attraction ; and  in  it  are  wit- 
nessed the  best  plays.  The  principal 
theatrical  and  operatic  stars  find  their 
way  here  during  the  season.  In  the  lan- 


guage of  the  profession,  Bangor  is  the 
“ best  show  town  ” in  the  State.  Booth, 
Jefferson,  Barrett,  Janauschek,  Cary,  Ger- 
ster,  Brignoli,  Thomas,  Gilmore,  and  all 
the  lesser  lights,  favor  with  their  pres- 
ence the  lovers  of  music  and  the  histri- 
onic art. 

Bangor  is  never  behindhand  in  giving 
generous  aid  to  suffering  communities 
abroad,  whether  from  pestilence,  flood, 
or  fire,  as  recipients  of  its  good  will  and 
the  practical  application  thereof  will 
readily  acknowledge. 

It  is  the  seat  of  one  of  the  oldest 


44 


SOCIAL  FEATURES. 


and  most  celebrated  religious  institutions 
in  the  country,  — the  Bangor  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  Its  various  buildings  are 
located  in  spacious  grounds  command- 
ing a fine  view ; and,  with  its  grand  old 
shade-trees  and  green  lawns,  it  adds 
much  to  the  beauty  of  the  city.  It  has 
a library  of  sixteen  thousand  volumes, 
and  an  able  staff  of  professors.  Among 
the  many  eminent  divines  who  have 
been  connected  with  it  may  be  named 
the  late  Drs.  Leonard  Woods,  Enoch 
Pond,  and  George  Shepard  ; also  Drs. 
Harris  and  Barbour,  now  of  Yale  Col- 


lege; and  Hamlin,  late  president  of  Rob- 
ert College,  Constantinople.  A liberal 
spirit  prevails  with  the  professors  of 
this  school  as  well  as  with  the  Orthodox 
clergy  of  the  city,  and  there  is  less 
harsh  judgment  pronounced  by  individu- 
als on  account  of  religious  belief  than 
in  most  communities. 

Bangor  can  name  among  those  who 
have  occupied  the  pulpits  of  its  various 
churches  many  distinguished  clergymen. 
The  late  Dr.  John  Cotton  Smith  of  New 
York  was  formerly  rector  of  the  St. 
John’s  Episcopal  Church.  The  cele- 


45 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


brated  Methodist,  Mark  Trafton,  was  a 
Bangor  boy,  and  began  his  preaching 
here.  The  late  Dr.  S.  L,  Pomroy  for 
more  than  twenty-three  years  occupied 
the  pulpit  of  the  First  Parish  Church ; 
and  the  late  lamented  George  B.  Little, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Newman  Smythe,  now 
of  New  Haven,  followed  him  many 
years  later. 

Professors  Frederic  H.  Hedge,  Joseph 
H.  Allen,  and  Charles  C.  Everett,  now 
of  Harvard  College,  were  for  fifteen, 
seven,  and  ten  years  respectively,  in 
the  order  named,  pastors  of  the  Uni- 

46 


terian  Church ; and  Samuel  L.  Cald- 
well, now  president  of  Vassar  Col- 
lege, for  twelve  years  ministered  to  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  First  Baptist 
Society. 

There  are  fourteen  churches,  which 
have  cost,  in  round  numbers,  ^400,000. 
Besides  those  worshipping  in  these 
houses,  are  several  small  religious  so- 
cieties holding  meetings  in  halls  and 
in  various  suburban  chapels. 

Bangor  has  furnished  its  fair  quota 
of  literary  men  and  women,  many  of 
whom  have  gained  a national  reputation. 


SOCIAL  FEATURES. 


In  history,  religious  writings,  poetry, 
novels,  articles  in  the  leading  periodicals, 
the  world  has  been  made  the  richer  by 
contributions  from  its  citizens.  In  the 


bibliography  of  the  town  in  the  history 
of  Penobscot  County,  published  1882,  a 
list  of  the  writings  of  nearly  two  hun- 
dred authors  is  given. 


47 


.?•- 


VI. 


ROUTE  FOR  A DRIVE. 


, 


- )’ 


I 

f 


MEulOTrf’E  PRINTINO  CO. 


BOSTON. 


EUROPKAN  & NORTH  AMERICAN  R.  R.  WHARF, 


VI. 

ROUTE  FOR  A DRIVE. 


' I 'HE  following  is  given  as  a good 
route  for  a drive  through  the  city. 

Starting  from  West  Market  Square, 
up  Hammond  Street  to  Court  Street, 
up  Court  to  Ohio,  down  Ohio  to  High, 
through  High  to  Union,  up  Union  to 
Third,  through  Third  to  Cedar,  up  Cedar 
to  West  -Broadway,  up  West  Broadway 
to  Union,  up  Union  to  Highland,  across 


Highland  to  the  summit  of  Thomas 
Hill.  Here  a short  rest  will  give  an 
opportunity  for  a fine  view  of  the  east 
side  of  the  city,  as  well  as  to  enjoy 
a grand  prospect  of  the  country  for 
many  miles  around.  To  the  north  may 
be  seen  the  Piscataquis,  or  Ebeeme 
Mountains  ; east  of  them  Passadumkeag 
Mountain  looms  up  in  the  distance,  to 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


the  right  of  which  a range  of  hills  ex- 
tends along  the  horizon  for  many  miles 
towards  the  south ; among  them  the 
most  prominent  are  Peaked,  Black  Cap, 
and  Saunders’  Mountains,  Wiswell  and 
Swett’s  Hills, — ^all  famous  resorts  for 
picnics  and  pleasure-parties  from  the 
city. 

Returning  through  Highland  to  Union, 
on  the  way  the  pretty  Dixmont  Hills 
may  be  seen  on  the  western  horizon ; 
down  Union  to  Main  (making  a short 
detour  through  Summer  Street),  through 
Main  to  Kenduskeag  Bridge,  across  the 


bridge  to  State  Street,  State  to  French, 
French  to  Garland,  Garland  to  Center, 
Center  to  Jefferson,  thence  to  Division, 
through  Division  to  Kenduskeag  Ave- 
nue, up  Kenduskeag  Avenue  as  far  as 
“ Lovers’  Leap,”  which  is  well  described 
in  the  following  extract  from  an  article 
in  the  “Home  Journal”  of  Gardiner: 
“ ‘ Lovers’  Leap  ’ is  a vast  precipice  on 
the  banks  of  the  Kenduskeag.  . . . Tradi- 
tion says  that  a pair  of  Indian  lovers,  per- 
secuted by  their  ‘ cruel  parents,’  dumped 
themselves  therefrom  into  the  bubbling 
stream  below.  It  was  a spot  judiciously 


52 


ROUTE  FOR  A DR/VE. 


selected,  and  we  cheerfully  commend  it- 
to  all  lovers  desiring  a speedy  exit  from 
this  world  or  matrimony.  It  is  a grand 
resort  with  lovers  to  this  day,  though  the 
wholesome  example  of  our  Indian  friends 
is  now  very  rarely  followed.  On  Sun- 
days, particularly,  crowds  flock  to  this 
place,  drawn  thither,  some  by  love  of 
nature,  and  some  by  other  motives,  per- 
haps more  worthy,  perhaps  not.  It  is 
a pretty  place  to  stroll  in,  and  we  cannot 
find  it  in  our  hearts  to  condemn  those 
who  there  ‘turn  from  Nature  up  to  Na- 
ture’s God.’  We  advise  all  who  visit 


Bangor  not  to  forget  to  visit  ‘ Lovers’ 
Leap.’  ” 

Returning  through  Kenduskeag  Ave- 
nue to  Montgomery  Street,  up  Montgom- 
ery to  Fountain  Street,  where  another 
fine  view  may  be  had ; down  Fountain 
to  Congress  Street,  across  Congress  to 
Broadway,  through  Broadway  to  State, 
up  State  to  Essex,  Essex  to  Garland, 
Garland  to  Grove,  Grove  to  State,  State 
to  East  Summer  Street,  return  on  State 
to  Newbury,  down  Newbury  to  Hancock, 
through.  Hancock  and  Washington  to 
Exchange,  thence  to  place  of  beginning. 


53 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


This  drive  need  not  occupy  more  than 
an  hour  and  a half  or  two  hours,  taking 
it  leisurely. 

There  are  many  pleasant  streets  not 
named  in  this  route,  and  some  interest- 
ing localities  which  would  well  repay  a 
stranger  to  visit. 

Mount  Hope  Cemetery,  on  the  river- 
road  two  miles  from  the  city,  is  a beau- 
tiful spot. 

The  city  water-works  are  well  worth 
visiting.  A drive  up  the  Valley  Avenue 
along  the  Kenduskeag  is  pretty.  A visit 
to  some  of  the  great  saw-mills  would 


be  of  interest,  and  a short  trip  down 
the  river  and  back  makes  a delightful 
holiday. 

Surely,  summer  tourists  must  find 
much  to  interest  them,  though  they  be 
entire  strangers.  There  are  four  large 
and  well-appointed  hotels,  all  with  genial 
landlords,  who  give  their  guests  the 
best  that  their  experience  and  moderate 
charges  will  allow. 

Most  well-to-do  citizens  of  Bangor 
are  proprietors  of  their  own  homes  : few 
fine  houses  are  ever  offered  for  rent,  and 
house-rent  is  low. 


54 


ROUTE  FOR  A DRIVE. 


There  is  little  poverty  in  the  town. 
When  a case  of  suffering  is  discovered, 
the  good  people  and  charitable  societies 
attend  to  it  with  commendable  prompt- 
ness. 

The  city  provides  well  for  its  paupers, 
having  a large  and  well-appointed  alms- 
house, where  all  the  indigent  who  are 
not  too  proud  to  accept  of  its  hospitali- 
ties are  cared  for.  Beggars  are  almost 


unknown ; and  either  the  climate  or  the 
nature  of  the  laws  is  uncongenial  to 
the  professional  tramp,  for  he  is  not  a 
frequent  visitor. 

For  a seaport  as  well  as  the  head- 
quarters of  a great  lumbering  business, 
which  naturally  brings  to  the  low  quar- 
ters of  the  town  rough  characters  from 
the  sea  and  the  backwoods,  there  is 
very  little  drunkenness  and  crime. 


r"- 


v> 


"X  't*'. 


’y>'i 


VII. 


A STRANGER’S  IMPRESSIONS. 


r“'  ’ * ■ " ’"  ■'‘‘  ‘ 

vjp‘w:_^  - ■ 


; 


\ 


<1  ^ 


/ 


LUMBER  DOCKS. 


VII. 


A STRANGER’S  IMPRESSIONS. 


' I 'HE  following  selections,  taken  from 
the  correspondence  of  a distinguished 
English  divine  to  the  “ World  ” news- 
paper of  London,  England,  will  give  spe- 
cial interest  as  showing  the  impressions 
produced  on  the  mind  of  an  observing 
foreigner  while  visiting  Bangor, 

. . . “ The  sail  up  the  Penobscot  Riv- 
er on  a fine  summer’s  morning  is  charm- 


ing. The  villages  dotted  here  and  there, 
with  their  white  cottages,  backed  by  pine 
forests,  have  a beauty  all  their  own, 
distinct  from  any  thing  on  the  Hudson 
(the  Rhine  of  the  United  States),  but  by 
no  means  suffering  in  any  thing  but 
diminution  from  the  comparison.  Every 
thing  needful  for  travellers  can  be  ob- 
tained on  board  the  fine  boats  which  ply 


59 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


between  Boston  and  Bangor,  — bed  and 
board,  in  addition  to  the  conveniences 
of  the  elegantly  appointed  drawing-room 
saloon.  . . . The  sunrise  was  magnifi- 
cent ; the  water  smooth  as  oil,  and  bur- 
nished like  liquid  gold  ; the  air  keen  and 
appetizing.  From  Rockland  up  the  Pe- 
nobscot River  is  a continuous  panorama 
of  quiet  beauty  — bays,  islands,  villages, 
pine  forests  — until  one  of  the  largest 
cities  in  Maine  is  reached, — Bangor.  . . . 
This  city  has  a population  of  between 
tv/enty  and  thirty  thousand  residents. 
Its  buildings,  mostly  of  wood,  are  con- 


structed with  neatness  and  taste,  many 
even  with  elegance.  Most  of  the  Ameri- 
cans prefer  wood  to  brick ; and  some 
of  the  most  recherche  dwellings,  man- 
sions for  size,  are  of  wood.  It  may  be 
that  my  visit  to  Bangor  is  made  under 
exceptionally  favorable  circumstances, . . . 
but  it  seems  to  me  a most  desirable 
place  of  residence.  In  summer-time  the 
heat  is  never  so  oppressive  as  in  Bos- 
ton and  New  York.  In  winter,  when 
the  rivers  are  blocked  with  ice,  sleighing, 
skating,  and  all  kinds  of  out-door  exer- 
cise, develop  the  social  life  of  the  placo 


A STRANGER' S IMPRESSIONS. 


to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  the  win- 
ter at  Bangor,  severe  though  it  is,  the 
most  enjoyable  time  of  the  year.  There 
are  fourteen  churches  here,  most  efficient 
schools,  large  public  halls,  fine  stores, 
capacious  hotels,  and  the  streets  are  all 
more  or  less  hilly,  with  an  orderly  irregu- 
larity which  adds  very  much  to  the 
charm  of  the  place. 

“ I have  explored  almost  every  street, 
and  failed  to  find  any  really  poor  people, 

■ — people,  that  is,  who  are  in  doubt  as 
to  where  the  necessaries  of  life  are  to 
come  from ; nor  have  I seen  any  thing 


like  open  drunkenness,  although  for  sev- 
eral days  the  militia  of  the  State  have 
been  encamping  here,  — an  event  which 
brought  together  great  crowds  from  the 
surrounding  districts.  . . . Bangor  is  a 
good  illustration  of  the  fact  that  the 
absence  of  a State-established  religion 
tends  to  soften  down  the  asperities  of 
sectarianism.  In  this  city  we  have  de- 
nominationalism  without  sectarianism. 
It  has  been  my  privilege,  in  making  a 
longer  stay  here  than  at  any  other  point 
on  my  travels,  to  receive  invitations  to 
social  gatherings,  which  have  enabled 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


me  to  form  a pretty  deliberate  judg- 
ment on  this  question  ; and  it  has  been 
unspeakably  gratifying  to  me  to  discov- 
er that  social  intercourse  is  not  at  all 
confined  within  denominational  lines. 
Congregationalists,  Baptists,  Unitarians, 
Episcopalians,  mingle  without  the  slight- 
est reserve  or  restraint ; and  all  have 
done  me  the  honor  of  attending  the  ser- 
vices that  I have  conducted.  . . . People 
who  suppose  that  ‘ down  East  ’ is  a syno- 
nyme  for  semi-civilization,  as  we  some- 
times hear  in  England,  would  be  utterly 
astonished  at  the  intelligence,  refinement. 


culture,  and  wealth  of  Bangor.  I sup- 
pose, that,  in  proportion  to  the  number 
of  inhabitants,  there  are  more  people 
here  who  keep  some  sort  of  carriage  than 
in  any  other  town  in  New  England. 
This  riding  everywhere  seems  to  me 
one  of  the  mistakes  made  by  Americans. 
If  they  have  to  go  the  distance  of  a mile, 
they  order  out  a horse,  and  ride,  and 
then  suppose  they  have  been  ‘ taking 
exercise.’  ...  I am  sure  of  one  fact, — 
that  we  shall  quit  Bangor  and  its  im- 
mense lumber-wharves,  its  hills  and  dales 
and  pleasant  waters,  with  very  great 


A STRANGER'S  IMPRESSIONS. 


regret.  Nowhere  have  we  encountered 
so  many  English-looking  faces,  nowhere 
had  access  to  so  many  pleasant  homes, 
nowhere  met  with  such  lavish  hospital- 
ity. Our  natures  would  be  cold  indeed 
if  we  did  not  henceforth  number  among 
our  friends  some  of  those  who  have 
done  all  that  in  them  lay  to  make  us 
feel  ‘ at  home  ’ on  American  soil ; and 


we  strongly  advise  any  of  our  readers, 
who  may  be  contemplating  a trip  to 
these  shores,  to  put  Bangor  down  among 
the  cities  to  be  visited.” 

In  closing  this  sketch,  it  is  gratifying 
to  be  permitted  to  append  the  beautiful 
hymn  written  by  one  of  Bangor’s  most 
gifted  daughters  on  the  occasion  of  the 
city’s  centennial  celebration  in  1869. 


CENTENNIAL  HYMN. 


K£’.IOTTF-E  PRINTING  CO. 


».•  ,T0N. 


PENOBSCOT  RIVER  FROM  BREWER  BRIDGE. 


CENTENNIAL  HYMN. 


BY  FRANCES  L.  MACE. 


I. 

God  of  our  days ! thy  guiding  power 
Sustained  the  lonely  pioneer 
W'ho  first,  beneath  the  forest-shades, 
His  evening  camp-fire  kindled  here. 
To  thee,  a welcome  sacrifice, 

Its  smoke  ascended  to  the  skies. 


II. 

God  of  the  years ! as  summers  fled. 

Within  the  wild  new  homes  were  reared. 
New  gardens  bloomed,  new  altars  flamed. 
And  songs  of  praise  the  sabbaths  cheered, 
Until  the  fair  young  city  stood. 

Gem  of  the  Eastern  solitude. 


67 


A SKETCH  OF  BANGOR. 


III. 

God  of  the  centuries ! to-day 

A hundred  years  their  tale  have  told ; 
And,  lingering  in  their  solemn  shade, 
We  listen  to  the  days  of  old. 

To  us,  how  vast  the  centuries’  flight ! 

To  thee,  as  watches  in  the  night. 


IV. 

God  of  eternity ! thy  hand 

To  nobler  hills  has  beckoned  on 
The  fathers,  who,  by  many  toils, 

For  us  this  pleasant  dwelling  won. 
With  them,  hereafter,  may  we  raise 
Celestial  cities  to  thy  praise ! 


68 


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